Friday Two Cents: The Measure Of A Person

Upon returning from the spring break I had the opportunity to work in a few kindergarten classrooms where I know the early childhood educator (ECE). I started my journey in the education field as an ECE and working with some whom I have known for some years is quite rewarding. Yet something this week came to mind as I was working with an exceptional ECE.

You see, I have the unique perspective of working as an ECE and as a teacher in a kindergarten class. I have worked both sides and I have seen the good, bad and ugly of both professions. In many kindergarten rooms there are two adults educating the students, a teacher and an ECE. I can best describe this partnership in this way. A teacher is like the officer or captain of the unit/classroom they oversee the planning in room and do a lot of the paperwork involved with the job. They now the rules and regulations and curriculum involved in making the ship run smoothly. The ECE’s are the NCO’s (non-commissioned officers/sergeants), they oversee the smaller everyday running of things. They also are the backbone of the unit making sure that the unit runs smoothly according to the captain’s (teacher’s) plan. Yet they also have a level of experience/knowledge that makes them invaluable to the officers and unit. They are almost like the glue that keeps things together.

As in any unit, when both the officers and sergeants are working together, the unit functions like a well-oiled machine. The same can be said in a kindergarten classroom with the teacher and ECE. I had the opportunity to work with an ECE who shows her passion for teaching. Yet in many circles she is looked down upon because she is an ECE. She is not a teacher with all the degrees and additional qualifications. Many teachers would only see a support person not an equal. But she works and programs in the classroom as well or better than some teachers I have worked with. Why is it that we cannot see the wonderful educator she is simply because she does not have the qualifications. Is it truly a matter of position, of rank or privilege that holds people back in recognizing her contributions?

I know that there are some ECEs that are not as passionate as the ECE that I worked with, as I would imagine in any profession, but I think that they are in the minority. I think and was told that I preformed as well as this ECE. I took my experience as an ECE and brought it forward into my teaching career. There are many ECEs working that would exemplify their teaching skills in their work with the students and they are not teachers. So why we cannot acknowledge them as being great educators in the system as well as teachers?

ECE inspired programming

ECE inspired programming

ECE inspired programming

ECE inspired programming

ECE inspired programming

I have felt the sting of discrimination of being an ECE and a teacher. When I worked as an ECE in a classroom I was treated as a support staff and told to do whatever the teacher told me to do. Yet once I received my teaching licence and I was still working as an ECE, until I got onto the supply-teaching list, teachers would treat me different than before. I was seen as a second teacher in the room, asked for observation notes; or to plan lessons. Even though the education policy says that the teacher and ECE are seen as equals, many do not put this into practice.

Perhaps it has to do with human nature and how we measure people. Do we measure them by their actions or by they status in a society? All too often I have seen people measure others because they see them as inferior to themselves and they devalue them. Perhaps we as a society need to treat others, as we would like to be treated. J.K. Rowling once said …

‘If you want to see the true measure of a man, watch how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.’ J. K. Rowling

For if a person can treat someone as an equal, even when society sees them as inferior; then maybe we can finally see no difference when it comes to valuing people for whom they truly are.

About Me

Born and raised in Toronto Canada, I am a certified Elementary teacher working at a school board with children from kindergarten to grade 5. The one thing you should know about me is that I love all art forms but especially drawing, writing and music.

I discovered that when I inspire others, they in turn inspire me. This wonderful realization is the inspiration in creating this blog. My creativity comes from the people around me. Hopefully, I can inspire others as they have inspired me.
I try and post everyTuesday and Friday along the following themes:

Tuesday – I will try to post some of my art or that of the children’s
Friday “Friday Two Cents” – I will try to post my opinion, or my two cents, on something that happened in the news or to me during the week.

But watch out during the other days of the week just in case. If I find something Inspiring, Interesting or Creative, I will do my best to share it